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New problem?? Blood Parrot

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I'm getting so frustrated.

Just when I think this 90 gal tank is in perfect shape, I'm starting to wonder if the smallest of my 2 BP has a problem (this is NOT the one that had the coloration issues discussed on another thread)
Several times today, I noticed the fish up toward the top near one of the power heads. Sometimes it just hangs there upside down :o(
Then again, it will go off and play with the sev for a while. But tonight, it's up at the top again. And the thing that makes me worry for it is that when I approached the tank, it doesn't dart away like it ALWAYS does when I come near.

Water perims this AM were 0/0/5 before I did a 30% W/C to get the last of the salt out of the tank from the ich treatment. ph 7 temp 80F and stable. I dosed with enough prime to condition to the entire tank

I've got tons of aeration and filtration. (1200 cascade canister and UGF with twin powerheads.) I've got 2 bubblers running and the power heads are pointed up at a 45 degree angle and making ripples on the surface. Spray bars are angled up a little so they too are making a ripple.

The truth is, though, all of the fish seem a little sluggish. they are not eating with their usual aggression.

I don't THINK I'm over reacting and I am a little jumpy about the tank since the ich episode so just talk me down if you think all is good.

I checked on him again just now ... he's down at the bottom again. Can't tell if his respiration is rapid because I don't know what rapid is for a BP. Can't compare to the other BP because as usual, he darts under a rock cave when he sees me coming.

I have no idea. I have never seen mine upside down. What are you feeding them, flakes or pellets? I don't think you are over-reacting. It's not normal for fish to be upside down.

I tested for copper today to see if there was any left and it read 0. Has read that for several days. that was the only medication ever in the tank and it was over a week ago that I did several small W/C to get rid of the coppersafe. Followed with heat treatment and low dose of salt. Got ride of that over past 3 days.
Maybe it's just a little issue with water chemistry getting straightened out?
Fingers crossed he'll be back to normal tomorrow.

Oh -Pellets and flakes. Maybe I'm overfeeding? Pressure on his swim bladder? I'm really feeling my way with these guys because I can't get a read on how much they're eating because they hide unless I leave ...
I turned the light off a while ago (just have the blue night led on ... thought maybe it was bed time for him) He's at the bottom again now...

thanks for the reply. I'll let you know what's happening in the morning.

I feed only pellets that will sink. I was afraid of them gulping them at the surface and sucking up air bubbles. Perhaps you need to not feed for a day.

Flakes get in the belly and swell up and can cause problems. Now and then mine get a very few but not much and mostly Crispy flakes, not the regular flakes.

That makes sense. Maybe he has a stomach ache. I had been thinking about fasting them tomorrow. For certain I will now.

In the meantime, how often would you feed this tank? 2 X a day? 1 X a day? And approx how many pellets per feeding? 1/8th tsp? 1/4 tsp? I've really been struggling with how much. The BP's and the Sev are a little bigger than silver dollar size. the geo is about 2 1/2 inches and nice and fat. The EBJD is the smallest - he's maybe 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 inches.

Do you ever feed them frozen brine shrimp? These guys love it. I have only given it to them a few times. it sinks right away = just sort of floats to the bottom slowly so I'm hoping that will continue to be okay.

Now I have to rethink my stocking plan if flakes might cause a problem. This means I'll have to get the gourami out of there. I was going to add some congo tetras for a little movement - but I figure they'd eat flakes, not sinking pellets so that might not be an option now. I'll do some reading.

All other current tank mates should do fine with sinking pellets. I still plan to replace the angel and get another BP. Add 3 or 4 ottos for the brown algae and the tank is pretty full anyway by the time they get some size to them.

I peeked in the tank again and think I spotted him behind a rock at the bottom. so that's good.

Treat for internal parasites as well...extreme cases can cause very bad buoyancy issues. Also soak pellets prior to feeding them..that way they will sink a bit. I would feed 1X per day since the fish are growing and only a small amount...fish require far less food than they think.

Treat for internal parasites as well...extreme cases can cause very bad buoyancy issues.

So that would be the PraziPro, correct?

Also soak pellets prior to feeding them..that way they will sink a bit. I would feed 1X per day since the fish are growing and only a small amount...fish require far less food than they think.

And what is a small amount for fish this size? That's what I'm having difficulty figuring out. I have the sinking Cichlid Pellets. 1/4 of a tsp = 40 pellets. So ... 1/8 of a tsp daily?

And no more fish flakes.

So far, little BP appears to be okay this morning. I think ladyhobbs was right. he had a stomach ache from gulping air when pecking at the flakes on the surface ... and no doubt I have been overfeeding.
they are fasting today

I use Hikari sinking pellets. They sink right away. I often wonder if the fish can find them in the gravel but guess they do. I don't measure what I drop in the tank. I just drop in several pellets once time a day.

Parrots kind of have to bob for their food since they can't close their mouths. They can pick them up easier on the bottom of the tank when the filter isn't tossing them around so much.

I got some "slow sinking" pellets from Ken's that are a joke. Three days after tossing them in the tank, they are still floating. I hate them but my angelfish eats them.

I use Hikari sinking pellets. They sink right away. I often wonder if the fish can find them in the gravel but guess they do. I don't measure what I drop in the tank. I just drop in several pellets once time a day.These Omega one also sink right away. I'll leave the floating pellets for the angel, once I get my new one in a few weeks.Maybe the gourami will eat those too and I won't have to take them out of the tank

Parrots kind of have to bob for their food since they can't close their mouths. They can pick them up easier on the bottom of the tank when the filter isn't tossing them around so much.